Report: UEFA altered Team of the Year formation to include Ronaldo

European football’s governing body, UEFA, changed the formation of its 2019 Team of the Year to create a spot for Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo.

An unorthodox 4-2-4 was selected by UEFA’s brass in an effort to include Ronaldo in an attack-heavy frontline alongside Lionel Messi, Sadio Mane, and Robert Lewandowski, according to a report from ESPN FC’s Samuel Marsden.

The Portuguese international’s inclusion came at the expense of Chelsea fan favorite N’Golo Kante, who was initially part of the XI in a three-man midfield with Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne.

Ronaldo currently sits joint-second in Serie A for goals with 14 in his second campaign with the eight-time reigning Italian champs. Juventus teammate Matthijs de Ligt was also named to UEFA’s 2019 team.

Five members of Jurgen Klopp’s Champions League winners Liverpool got the nod. Joining Mane are defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Andrew Robertson, and ‘keeper Alisson.

The Team of the Year, which was unveiled Wednesday, was determined by a vote on UEFA’s website.

Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)